'The Ultimate Fighter 15' cast unveiled with 32 lightweight fighters

The UFC and FX have revealed 32 lightweight fighters who have been selected to compete on “The Ultimate Fighter 15.”

The show (also dubbed “TUF: Live”) debuts March 9 on FX with a two-and-half-hour episode that features 16 live elimination-round fights. All the winners earn official cast-member status.

UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and top contender Urijah Faber serve as coaches on the tournament-based show, which initially was slated to feature both lightweights and welterweights.

However, the field now includes just lightweights. Notable 155-pounders from the list include “TUF 13″ competitor Myles Jury (who was forced off the show with a torn ACL), Cristiano Marcello and James Krause. Cast members come from the U.S., England, Northern Ireland and Brazil.

The “TUF 15″ debuts airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT (meaning the West Coast will get a delayed feed). Future episodes then air every Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. After the live debut, the remaining 12 episodes include pre-taped content and then a live fight to close out each show.

The show’s live finale takes place June 1, when a “TUF 15″ champion will be crowned.

“TUF 15″ is the first season to air on the FOX-owned FX. All previous seasons aired on Spike TV.

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